Key Connections (August 16, 2017)

You Can’t Love Missions Without Loving the Local Church (Caleb Greggsen, 9Marks)

First, there’s a dreadful tendency for both “stayers” and “goers” (at least the young ones) to question motives of the other “side.” Second, missionary zeal and love for the local church should not be competing affections in our heart. If one seems to win out over the other, there is a problem, since the church is the body to whom our Lord has given the work of missions.

Preach the Gospel, and Since It’s Necessary, Use Words (Ed Stetzer, EdStetzer.com)

The gospel is not habit, but history. The gospel is the declaration of something that actually happened. And since the gospel is the saving work of Jesus, it isn’t something we can do, but it is something we must announce. We do live out its implications, but if we are to make the gospel known, we will do so through words.

3 Things to Pray to Deepen Your Understanding of the Gospel (Kevin Halloran, Anchored in Christ) 

It’s important that we take note of the Spirit-inspired prayers of the Scriptures so our prayers can be shaped by Scripture and God’s priorities, not our own.

The Great Wall of Cotton (Greg Morse, Desiring God)

Yawning hearts that adore the pleasure of “ten more minutes” take our souls hostage behind linen sheets. Our blankets stand as prison bars preventing us from the Comforter of our souls. Each morning, life, gladness, and increased holiness pass us by as we stay imprisoned behind the Great Wall of Cotton.

 

Three Searching Questions to Ask Yourself About Social Media (Meghan Feir, Unlocking the Bible)

From political arguments with family and friends, time-sucking Facebook snooping, unhealthy comparisons, and TMI moments, most of us have witnessed the ugly side of social media. But what are the driving forces behind what we share, write, and comment on, and why do we feel the urge to compulsively check social networks several times a day? Whether we post frequently or rarely, strategically or not, now is a good time to assess our motivations for making our mark online.

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